Well, Mario dogged us again and is off somewhere in the Pacific Northwest holed up with Mark Henry. He says they’re working on a screenplay (god help us)—I say they’re probably lying on the couch drinking beer and playing…well, you fill in the blank.

Mario also informed me that he didn’t take any pictures at Armadillocon. Great. I realize he sleeps through most of the panels he sits in on (come to think of it, he sleeps through most of the panels he’s participating on, too) so I have very few Con pics to share.

However, we did meet one of our blog winners. Now, I didn’t think to ask her if I could use her name, so I won’t. But this is just to show you we really do give away all that swag we promise. And she can chime in here to verify!

Also, here’s a young reader, Brittany (I did ask her) and her mom with writer Joe McKinney who chatted with Mario and I at panels and at the signing. It was a pleasure to meet them both.

Okay, maybe a little media news is apropos this week. Follow this link to Newsweek’s Bloodsucker Beauty Contest. Piss poor selection. Where are Spike and Angel? I think I’d have to go with Brad Pitt. How about you?

In San Diego, there is a perpetual battle going on over the seal’s in La Jolla. Long story short, some think the beach should revert back to kids. Others think it should be a sanctuary for the seals. I think I’m for the seals on this one. For now at least, they are going to be allowed to stay. Here are some pics I took when I was in SD for ComicCon.

And speaking of ComicCon—a confession. I talked with a woman who was interested in my books for her book club. Well, I have torn the house apart, and cannot find her contact info. On the slim chance that she may be reading this, contact me at Jeanne@jeannestein.com and I will fulfill my promise!

New fall show on the lineup: Eastwick. Tagline: Lipstick Jungle meets Desperate Housewives set in Stars Hollow. Oh, and they’re witches.

Hmmm...Loved the movie and the book. Don't know about this.

For fans of the tearjerker Time Traveler’s Wife: ABC is teaming with "Friends" creator Marta Kauffman and Warner Bros. Television to adapt "The Time Traveler's Wife" as a weekly series. Didn't see the movie, didn't read the book. Seemed too angsty for my taste.

Guess who won a HUGO for best Dramatic Presentation: Short Form??

Dr Horrible’s Singalong Blog, Joss Whedon

Yea, team.

Okay, now for some blatant self promotion. On the 25th, Retribution will be released. If you cannot come to a signing to purchase the book, now would be the time to preorder on line at Amazon or B&N or your local independent. All writers know the first week is the most important, so please consider it. Here is my signing schedule:

Denver:

Tattered Cover HRAug 26 7:30 PM

Tattered Cover LODOSept 3 7:30 PM

WhoElse BooksSept 19 3:00 PM

San Diego and LA:

Mysterious Galaxy San DiegoAugust 29 2 PM

Mystery & Imagination GlendaleAugust 30 2 PM

My website has all the details. Any bookstore on my schedule will be happy to have me sign a copy for you. Again, my website has all the contact info.

Hi :)Thanks for the great blog post.I loved the pictures.I know you'll have a great time at the upcoming Dragon Con.I am looking forward to reading RETRIBUTION.:)Love and best wishes to you and yours@RKCharronxoxoPS- Wow. You are going to be very busy/productive!

~Seals all the way on the beach. Let's take care of the critters. The kids can go to the pool.

~I plan on getting my book at the WhoElse Bookstore signing. Should I pre-order through them so the first week numbers will bump up?

~No Eric Northman at least? What the hell does Newsweek know for vampires? ACK! My DH though, is all votes for Salma Hayek.

~Your DragonCon is going to be FAB! Holey katz! An hour with Charlaine Harris? And then all of those panels you are on with those other great authors?

~The gods help me, I read TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE. GACK! I hated that book. I kept reading it as my sister recommened it and I kept thinking it would get better. And it never did. I won't see the movie. I am more for seeing 'District 9' and the new Harry Potter and who knows what else. No angst for me, please.

~I'm not sure anyone can top the movie or the book Witches of Eastwick. I'll give it a look and a chance.

They're making "Witches of Eastwick" into a desperate housewives show....okay....

Maybe I'll make my brother in law take me to the mall so I can buy your book (need something to read on the plane back, you know, lol)

Have fun at DragonCon! My friend Bob at Baby Tatoo Books will be there (his company was at Comic Con too, seriesly, they go all the cool places). If you have a chance, check them out, they have some cool and unusual stuff.

Enjoy (yeah, I'm going to Hawaii, but I'm still jealous. I'd love to go to DragonCon)

Not sure I'll make it to any of your local book readings, but I'll make sure to buy a copy next week. I know I can't make either of the first two -- maybe I can make the one at WhoElse depending on the alignment of the stars and if the cow jumps over the moon.

Ok so I'm really late on this, sorry! I've been on a mixed vacation/staycation and have LITERALLY been doing nothing.

I second Steampunk pics.

Have fun at DragonCon! I know a lot of people who are going, sadly due to trauma of the last trip I took to Atlanta (I REALLY hate their traffic) I'm not going this year ... again. Maybe next year? the guy at the comic store told me that he and his wife always stay outside and take the Marta in to the convention center. Get a Charisma Carpenter picture if you can :-p Those panels look amazing. I look forward to hearing a report!

Retribution, my copy apparantly came in early ... I'm picking it up today at the bookstore.

Hmmm, of all the vamps in that list I'm having to go with Kate Beckensale. Even I can't deny that she was incredible looking in that film. As for guys? I too was sad to not see spike, Angel, or even Eric on the list. I suppose I would have to go with Brad Pitt as well. I've never been a Brad Pitt fan, but he was good in that film. Oh and for the record? The Robert Patterson worship can't end too soon if you ask me. I liked him in Harry Potter as an actor but I'm very quickly getting very sick of seeing him around. To his credit, the actor seems to be just as fed up with it as I am.